'Fairy House Festival' looks to bloom in year two at Artpark

by jmaloni

Fri, Jun 8th 2012 12:20 pm

Images of the 2011 "Fairy House Festival" at Artpark. (file photos)

Preview by Joshua Maloni

Epic
concerts, Broadway-quality musicals and performances by world-class musicians -
these are the things that put Artpark on the global map, and placed the
Lewiston facility at the head of the class for Western New York performing arts
venues.

So,
Artpark & Company's production manager, Susan Stimson, admits she had some
trepidation when pitching the "Fairy House Festival," an all-day, fairy-based
outdoor children's activity.

"Last
year's event was our first annual and we did not know what to expect," Stimson
said. "It is like having a party and being scared no one will come."

Fortunately,
"We had over 3,000 people and the atmosphere was beautiful and reminiscent of
old Artpark days when they had large-scale children's and arts activities all
year round," she said. "The weather was perfect - it was such a positive,
nature-based and relaxed affair. We had so much positive feedback. It was a lot
of work, but we are thrilled that is has taken off."

Children's
author Tracy Kane, who penned the "Fairy House" series, was on hand for
Artpark's first festival.

"It's
a great one," she said. "Susan has done a fabulous job in getting the whole
community involved - from schoolchildren to artists - building fairy houses.

"She
was inspired by the first event. She came out to Port Smith, New Hampshire,
where we did our first fairy house event ever - I did with a community back
eight years ago. And when Susan came to see it, she thought it was a perfect
venue for Artpark."

Fairy
houses are miniature structures built with all-natural ingredients - sticks,
stones, moss, leaves, pine cones - that kind of thing. Kane came up with the
idea to bring her story to life, in part, through her surroundings. She was
living in New Hampshire and noticed little structures built in "tiny little
woods."

Her
main impetus, however, was to disconnect children from their iPads and Xboxs
and reconnect them with nature.

"It
sort of builds upon their five senses going outside," Kane said. "And building
fairy houses you experience them all."

"It's
a great way for a young child to build on the learning blocks," she added.
"It's a good way for them to start versus going into the two-dimensional
concept right away. ... Actually getting outside and physically engaging is just
an important part of the learning process."

Since
its inception, the "Fairy House Festival" has been staged in a half-dozen
states. Kane said Artpark's rendition is as good as any she's seen.

"They
did a fabulous job," she said. "It was very hard to pull it off the first time,
especially, because ... most people don't know what a fairy house is, much less a
fairy house event.

"I
think she had about - I would guess 75 houses around to view - between the
schoolchildren's and the Girl Scouts and the artists and different groups,
garden groups, that had contributed fairy houses. They were amazing fairy
houses, too. Right on par with the best I've seen."

Artpark's
"Fairy House Festival" has expanded to two days this summer. It runs from noon
until 5 p.m. both days this weekend.

"We
think this festival will continue to grow every year," Stimson said. "We have
it two days this year to, first, give us a break if weather is bad one of the
days. And then another (is to) give people a chance to have two days to choose
from. As we know, families are very busy and have a lot to choose from."

She
said Artpark's second "Fairy House Festival" will boast plenty of activities
for children and families.

"This
year we, once again, have Tracy Kane back with us and her new book ('Fairy
Houses ... Unbelievable!') features some of last year's Artpark fairy houses,"
Stimson said. "We have a wonderful storyteller and also Lewiston Dance with us
doing even more performances. Also, we have a unicorn - yes, they do exist.

"We
know what works now, and so we can continue to make the festival grow - yet at
the same time, keeping it simple and connected to the beautiful park and
getting kids to be interested in being outside and active with nature."

While
Kane has no complaints about what she saw in year one, there is something, or
rather someone, she'd like to see more of in year two.

"For
some reason, parents think it's a girl thing," she said. "And boys are some of
the most creative builders."

"I
just try to encourage (a) whole family venue," she said. "Because you will find
boys, really, just as interested. Sometimes we call them 'gnome homes' or 'toad
houses.' But they're into it. They just have to be allowed the opportunity."

Those
with premade fairy houses are welcome to display them this weekend at Artpark.
Those families just beginning - or just learning about such things - are
invited to come to the park and build a fairy house from scratch.

"The Fairy House Festival" returns to Artpark on June 9 and
10.

From noon until 5 p.m. each day, the event will feature art
activities; hundreds of fairy houses designed by schools, Scout troops and
community youth groups; special dance performances; artist-created exhibits;
storytelling; and magical surprises. Tickets are $5 in advance ($6 day of festival)
and are on sale now.